Migrants in Hydra, Algers
Sr Valérie participated in the Zoom meeting on sisters’ commitment against human trafficking. It was an enriching experience. She summarized it for the other sisters at the weekly community meeting. This opened up a long discussion on the local situations here in Algeria. We mentioned the situation of some former residents of the Dar Essalem Center, for the most vulnerable migrants, where Sr Hortensia Sizalande is in charge and the “reappearance” of migrants from Niger. In recent months, we have witnessed many scenes of begging in the streets. They are women, teenagers, old men and especially young children reaching out to passers-by and drivers. It’s really pitiful! Where do these people come from, knowing that the borders are closed? Were they there before containment? Where do they stay? We have many questions. We feel powerless in the face of this situation: ignorance of the language (Hausa), painful experiences of expulsion…
The dangers of migration
Mr. Moustapha Dia, a Senegalese, taught at the Diam Ly school where Sr. Victorine Bulangalire works. He was the eldest leader of the Maison du Quartier, and my close collaborator. He left for the Canary Islands, by boat. We have learned that he has died. According to one of his friends who was travelling with him, Moustapha died on the 3rd day of the trip. The boat lost its way and was adrift for 12 days when it was found and rescued by the Canary Islands Red Cross (Spain) who took care of the survivors. But several migrants had already died from lack of water and food or from the heat. Moustapha’s body, like that of the other castaways, was returned to the sea. It was on 17th September that we received the news of his death. The children of the Maison du Quartier wrote messages and drew pictures in tribute to…
Memories of Sr. Marie-Louise Thiry from 1943 to 2020
Almost all of my MSOLA formation took place during wartime. I entered the postulate in Andenne sur Meuse (province of Namur) in April 1943. Six months later I took the habit at the novitiate of Hérent near Leuven. This lasted 2 years In the summer of 1944, we suffered a terrible bombardment. We were safe but the windows of the novitiate were shattered. The Sisters, fearing a recurrence, wanted to keep the novices away from Hérent. This is how we were welcomed by the Ursulines of Tildonk for a few weeks. We occupied the premises of the students on vacation. On August 29, we returned home. On September 4, 1944, Brussels was liberated from the occupier. A few days later, our novice mistress, Sr Rose de Viterbe, took us to the village: a convoy carrying allied soldiers was about to pass. The train slowed down and we warmly applauded them.…
I belong only to Jesus – first vows
We share an article written by our young professed sisters: Olive Burundaise, Donatira Ugandaise, Domina Rwandaise, Eliane Burundaise and Anosiata Ugandaise.
Apostolate in the peripheries
Our sister Cecylia Bachalska, from the community of Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania) tells us about her apostolate in the outskirts of the city and of life …
“I was in prison and you came to visit me” (Matthew 25:36)
Apostolate in the prison of Ghardaïa The welcome from the authorities in Ghardaïa is very good and we have been well received. We met the Director, who made himself available to us to ensure that the prayer service was carried out in favourable conditions while respecting the rules of the prison. Relations with the guards who allow us access to prisoners are also good, and with some even fraternal. We feel they trust us. The guards prepare a nice room for us to meet. Everyone is properly seated, and we can make a circle that helps everyone participate better. There are four attitudes that we must always maintain: humility, following the instructions given, respect for those people who are in the different prison departments, and recognition. The guards are respectful when they are…
Solidarity in Delwende during Covid-19
MSOLA community of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) Sr Vickness Nangongo Muleya, MSOLA. In Delwende (Ouagadougou) Sr Vickness Nangogo Muleya, director of the Delwende Center in Sakoula, asked to stay at the center during the pandemic, in order to accompany the rejected women accused of witchcraft and to ensure their protection against Covid-19. The Delwende center welcomes mostly women, but there is also a few men who have been chased from their villages accused of witchcraft. Sr Vickness shares her experience: « I saw their faces light up and at the same time they were surprised that I came to stay with them at this difficult time. They were surprised to see me there the whole day and night but their faces were shining. In my heart it was like a dream and I was in awe of what was happening. The first night I prayed in the hangar because my room was…
Participating in the life of disadvantaged people
MSOLA Bunamwaya community (Kampala – Uganda) Throughout the year Sr Theopista and the prepostulants have participated regularly in praying the Rosary, the Way of the Cross and in other celebrations and activities in two special plac in our area : at Namugongo Bunamwaya and Lost City (two disadvantaged areas). These are the places where people, especially youth, addicted to drugs and alcohol, live with their families. In collaboration with Mr. Richard Yiga, the leader of laity of the subparish, we aimed at helping them in behavior change. Occasionally one or the other members of the community joined the Group. Only our presence and listening attitude made those people feel accepted, respected and loved. They were proud of having sisters interested in them and participating in celebrations organized by them. At one moment, Theopista participated in the organization of a treatment camp for those who wished to finish with their addictions. It was sponsored by…
Beginning of a transformation at Kinteko
Sr Leocadie Kana, Msola community of Butare (Rwanda) Kinteko, a subparish of the cathedral, is not far from our Butare community. Despite being close to the town, its population is very peripheral, with plenty of unemployed young people and many young single mothers. They are known to be very difficult and very poor materially, humanly and spiritually. Material poverty adds a heavy burden to the difficulties of family life which sometimes becomes hell. The first victims, the children, desert the family home while very young to live adventures in the city, turn to drugs , become criminals and an easy prey of human traffickers. The population of Kinteko is somehow left to itself. No religious was working in that area. Touched by this reality, our community reflected about it, and we decided to do something with the women and young people. Sr Leocadie meets the women and young people in Kinteko..…